Apparatus for coating articles by immersion



H. L. DAvls March 29, 1955 APPARATUS FOR COATING ARTICLES BY IMMERSION s sneetsisheet 1 Filed Sept. 19. 1950 [ANNI mm o@ ii- H. L. DAVIS March 29, 1955 APPARATUS FOR COATING ARTICLES BY IMMERSION Filed Sept. 19, 1950 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 III lldl. lllllllll...

March 29, 1955 vH, L. DAvls 2,704,993

APPARATUS FOR COATING ARTICLES BY IMMERSION Flec Sept. 19, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 KMU? ly secured to main frame or comprise cam track sections which are capable of being moved vertically while being maintained generally horizontal by suitable adjustment means, generally horizontal extensible cam track sections 60 and inclined cam track sections 61, 61 connecting cam track sections 59, 59 and cam track sections 60 to form a continuous track. Each earn track section 59 is hollow and is provided with a slot 62 in its bottom face through which an inclined track member 61 passes. Roller 63 and shaft 64 are journalled in the upper end of track member 61, roller 63 rolling within hollow track 59 as shown in Fig. 8. Shaft 64 passes through slot 65 in the side of track 59 and has threaded shaft 66 secured to its outer end by means of setscrew 67. Tapped hollow shaft 68 is journalled in bearing 69 secured to main frame 10 and engages the end of threaded shaft 66. Handwheel 70 secured to the end of shaft 68 provides means for turning it and thus moving the upper end of track member 6l in track section 59. As shown in Fig. 7 roller 71 and shaft '72 are journalled in the lower end of track member 61, roller 71 rolling along guide 73.

Extensible track member 60 includes a housing consisting of sideboards 75, 75, spacer 76 and separator 77. Sliding rails 7S, 79 are mounted in the housing on each side ot' separator 77 and keyed thereto. One end of rail 78 is pivotally secured to the lower end of one of inclined track members 61 by means of shaft 72, and the opposite end of rail 79 is similarly secured to the other inclined track member 61.

Track member 60 and guide 73 are pivotally mounted on brackets 81, 81 which are secured at their midpoints to shafts S2, 82 housed in bearings 83, S3 secured to main frame 1t). The upper ends of brackets 81, 81 are linked together with connecting rod 84, one end of which is pivotally secured to threaded shaft 85 passing through a threaded bearing S6 pivoted on main frame 10. Handwheel 87 secured to threaded shaft 85 providesmeans for rotating the shaft. Rotation of handwhcel 87 moves connecting rod 84 laterally which in turn rotates brackets 81, 81 about shafts 82, 82 and raises or lowers track section 60 and guide 73 together while keeping them horizontal.

I'he operation of the apparatus is as follows:

A form 38 which has been attached to a carriage 17 by means of clamping member 37 is advanced by chain conveyor 11 toward the first dipping tank 20a containing a solution of a form lubricant. Roller 31 of the carriage 17 bears on a horizontal portion of the cam surface of cam track 45 maintaining form 38 in a maximum raised position and roller 42 bears against the cam surface of a stationary cam track section 59, 59 maintaining lever 41 of the carriage 17 and consequently form 38 at its maximum rotation, so that form 3S will pass over the edge of tank a and be in a position for dipping.

After form 38 has passed over the edge of tank 20a, roller 31 rides down inclined portion 48 of cam track permitting lever 30 and lever 28 to rotate downwardly lowering` form 38 into the dipping solution contained in tank 20a. Simultaneously roller 42 is urged down inclined section 61 of cam track 58 rotating lever 41 and lever 4t) downwardly. The movement of lever arm 40 is transmitted to lever arm 35 through linkage 43, causing clamping member 37 and boot form 38 'to rotate about shaft 34 as an axis.

As roller 32 contacts cam track section 46 the rotation of lever 30 is terminated and roller 31 rides clear of cam track 45. If it is desired that form 38 be lowered further into the dipping bath. carn track section 46 is lowered b v rotating shaft in the appropriate direction, which adjustment increases the effective cam surface of the inclined cam surfaces 48, 48 of cam track .45. As roller 42 of carriage 17 bears against a horizontal extensible cam track section the rotation of lever 41 and consequently of form 38 is terminated determining the angleat which form 33 will travel through the dipping bath; the angle being altered by raising or lowering cam track section 60 bv rotating shaft 85.

Accordingly, the toe of form 38 enters the dipping solution rst, as shown in the first position of Fig. l, and only after the sole portion of the form is completely submerged is the form rotated to a vertical position as shown in the second position of Fig. l. In this manner turbulence and splashing of the dipping solution upon entry of the form is minimized and entrapment of air bubbles under the shank portion of the form is avoided 4 while at the same time providing an even, horizontal upper edge on the dipped portion.

When carriage 17 has been advanced through thc dipping bath a desired period of time, roller 31 is urged up inclined portion 43 of cam track 45 rotating lever 30 and consequently raising form 38, roller 32 being lifted clear of cam track section 46; simultaneously roller 42 is urged up inclined cam section 61 of cam track 58 by compression spring 44 permitting lever 41 to be rotated upward which consequently rotates form 38 upward, the combination of the two cam actions permitting form 38 to pass unobstructedly over the edge of tank 20a as shown in the third position of Fig. 1.

The combined raising and tilting of form 38 result in the toe of the form being the last part to leave the solution, thus providing adequate drainage of excess dipping solution and preventing formation of drops along the sole portion of the form.

The angle at which the form enters and leaves the dipping bath may be varied by rotation of shafts 68, which control the position at which inclined track mem bers 61, 61 join upper cam track members 59, 59, thus making it possible to employ forms of any desired size and shape with dipping baths of any desired depth.

The cam action of raising and lowering form 38 by rotating lever 30 and the cam action of tilting form 38 to the desired angle by rotating lever 41, which cam actions are independent of each other, are repeated as carriage 17 is advanced over tank 20b which contains a coagulant for aqueous dispersions, tank 20c containing latex or other aqueous dispersions of rubbery material, and tank 20d containing water which washes uncoagulated latex or dispersion from form 38 and effects further setting of the coagulated deposit adhering to the surface thereof. After form 38 is withdrawn from dipping tank 20d it is removed by releasing the locking mechanism of clamping member 37 and another form is secured to clamping member 37.

Apparatus within the purview of my invention is particularly adapted to applying a coating or deposit of a rubbery material or the like to the surface of a base member of a glazed impervious material or the like or to a preformed member disposed over a form of the desired configuration.

The coating apparatus herein described produces hollow rubbery articles and articles coated with a rubbery material much more cheaply and eiciently than previously devised coating apparatus and there are realized great savings in labor and time.

The apparatus as disclosed above permits a base mem ber to be immersed in a dipping solution to any desired depth, the depth to which the base member is immersed being readily altered by simple efiicient adjustments to the apparatus.

My apparatus permits a base member to be drawn ythrough a dipping bath in any desired angular position by merely making minor adjustments in the apparatus.

vForms or base members of numerous sizes and shapes may b e coated by apparatus within the purview of this invention. v l 1 While the invention has been described with particular reference to one embodiment of the invention, it is clear that obvious variationsand modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

T claim:

l. Coating apparatus comprising a conveyor track. a carriage movable along said track and having means for holding an article to be coated` means for advancing said carriage along said track past a coating station. adjustable cam means disposed adjacent the path of said carriage at said station, said carriage having means actuated by said cam means as said cari-ige is advanced past said station for lowering and raising said article to and from a coating position. said cam means including adjustment means for altering the configuration of said cam means thereby varying the height to which said article is lowered as it is advanced past said station, and a second adjustable cam means disposed adjacent the path of said carriage at said station, said carriage having means actuated by said second cam means as said carriage is advanced past said station for tilting said article in a vertical plane to the angular position at which said article is coated and for returning said article to its 4original angular-position after said article is coated, said second cam means including adjustment means Yfor altering the contiguration of said second cam means thereby varying the angular position to which said article is tilted for the coating operation as the article is adva-nced past said station.

2. Coating apparatus comprising a conveyor track, a carriage movable along said track and having means -for holding an Vartic-le to -be coated, means for advancing said carriage along said track past a coating station, adjustable cam means disposed adjacent the path ot' said carriage at said station, said carriage having means actuated by said cam means as said carrige is advanced past said station for lowering and raising said article to and from a coating position, said cam means including adjustment means for altering the shape of said cam means thereby varying the height to which said article is lowered as it is advanced past said station, and a second cam means disposed adjacent the path of said carriage at said station, said carriage having means actuated by said second cam means as said carriage is advanced past said station for tilting said article in a vertical plane to the angular position at which said article is coated and for returning said article to its original angular position after said article is coated.

3. Coating apparatus comprising a conveyor track, a carriage movable along said track and having means for holding an article to be coated, means for advancing said carriage along said track past a coating station, cam means disposed adjacent the path of said carriage at said station, said carriage having means actuated by said cam means as said carriage is advanced past said station for lowering and raising said article to and from a coating position, and a second cam means disposed adjacent the path of said carriage at said station, said carriage having means actuated by said second cam means as said carriage is advanced past said station for tilting said article in a vertical plane to the angular position at which said article is coated and for returning said article to its original angular position after said article is coated, said second cam means including adjustment means for altering the shape of said second cam means thereby varying the angular position to which said article is tilted for the coating operation as the article is advanced past said station.

4. Coating apparatus comprising a conveyor track, a carriage movable along said track and having means for holding an article to be coated, means for advancing said carriage along said track past a coating station, adjustable cam means disposed adjacent the path of said carriage at said station, said carriage having means actuated by said cam means as said carriage is advanced past said station for lowering and raising said article to and from a coating position, said cam means comprising opposed stationary cam track members having a generally horizontal section and downwardly sloping end portions extending toward the opposing end portion of the adjacent cam track member and said cam means comprising a generally horizontal cam track member disposed between said opposed stationary cam track members adjacent the opposing end portions thereof, said cam means including adjustment means for vertically moving said horizontal cam track member to alter the shape of said cam means thereby varying the height to which said article is lowered as it is advanced past said station, and a second adjustable cam means disposed adjacent the path of said carriage at said station, said carriage having means actuated by said second cam means as said carriage is advanced past said station for tilting said article in a vertical plane to the angular position at which said article is coated and for returning said article to its original angular position after said article is coated, said second cam means cornprising opposed horizontal cam sections, opposed downwardly sloping cam sections disposed between said opposed horizontal cam sections and a connecting horizontal cam member disposed between said downwardly sloping cam sections of said second cam means, said second cam means including adjustment means for vertically moving said connecting horizontal cam member of said second cam means to alter the shape of said second cam means thereby varying the angular position to which said article is tilted for the coating operation as the article is advanced past said station.

5. Coating apparatus comprising a conveyor track, a carriage movable along said track and having means for holding an article to 'be coated, means for' advancing said carriage along said track past a coating station, adjustable cam means disposed :adjacent the path .of said :carriage at said station, ,-said carriage including means factuated 'by said cam means as said carriage is advanced past said station Ifor 'lowering and raising said article to and from a coating position, said cam means including adjustment means for altering the shape of said ,cam means thereby `varying the height to which said article is lowered as it is advanced past said station, and a second adjustable cam means disposed adjacent the path of said :carriage at said station, 'said carriage including means actuated by said second cam means as said carriage is advanced past said station for tilting said article in a vertical plane parallel to the path of travel of said carriage at said station to the angular position at which said article is coated and for returning said article to its original angular position after said article is coated, said second cam means including adjustment means for altering theshape of said second cam means thereby varying the angular position to which said article is tilted for the coating operation as the article is advanced past said station.

6. Coating apparatus comprising a conveyor track, a carriage including article-holding means movable along said track, means for advancing said carriage along said track past a coating station, adjustable cam means disposed adjacent the path of said carriage at said station, said carriage including means actuated by said cam means as said carriage is advanced past said station for lowering and raising said article-holding means to and from a coating position, said cam means including adjustment means for altering the shape of said cam means thereby varying the height to which said article-holding means is lowered as it is advanced past said station, and a second cam means disposed adjacent the path of said carriage at said station, said carriage including means actuated by said second cam means as said carriage is advanced past said station for tilting said article-holding means in a vertical plane parallel to the path of travel of said carriage at said station to the angular position at which the article is coated and for returning said article-holding means to its original angular position after the coating operation.

7. Coating apparatus comprising a conveyor track, a carriage including article-holding means movable along said track, means for advancing said carriage along said track past a coating station, cam means disposed adjacent the path of said carriage at said station, said carriage including means actuated by said cam means as said carriage is advanced past said station for lowering and raising said article-holding means to and from a coating position, and a second cam means disposed adjacent the path of said carriage at said station, said carriage including means actuated by said second cam means as said carriage is advanced past said station for tilting said article-holding means in a vertical plane parallel to the path of travel of said carriage at said station to the angular position at which the article is coated and for returning said article-holding means to its original angular position after the coating operation, said second cam means including adjustment means for altering the shape of said second cam means thereby varying the angular position to which said article-holding means is tilted for the coating operation as the carriage is advanced past said station.

8. Coating apparatus comprising a conveyor track, a carriage including article-holding means movable along said track, means for advancing said carriage along said track past a coating station, adjustable cam means disposed adjacent the path of said carriage at said station, said carriage including means actuated by said cam means as said carriage is advanced past said station for lowering and raising said article-holding means to and from a coating position, said cam means comprising opposed stationary cam track members having a generally horizontal section and downwardly sloping end portions extending toward the opposing end portion ot the adjacent cam track member and said cam means comprising a generally horizontal cam track member disposed between said opposed stationary cam track members adjacent the opposing end portions thereof, said cam means including adjustment means for vertically moving said horizontal cam track member to alter the shape of said cam means thereby varying the height to which said article is lowered as it is advanced past said station, and a second adjustable cam means disposed adjacent the path `of said carriage at said station, said carriage including tion at which the article is coated and for returning said `article-holding means to its original angular position after the coating operation, said second cam means including adjustment means for altering the shape of said second cam means thereby varying the angular position to which said article-holding means is tilted for the coating operation as the carriage is advanced past said station.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Bernardin July 13, 1909 Wall Apr. 26, 1921 Twiss et al Dec. 26, 1933 Flink Mar. 25, 1947 Jenne Ian. 9, 1951 Bablik Oct. 9, 1951 

1. COATING APPARATUS COMPRISING A CONVEYOR TRACK, A CARRIAGE MOVABLE ALONG SAID TRACK AND HAVING MEANS FOR HOLDING AN ARTICLE TO BE COATED, MEANS FOR ADVANCING SAID CARRIAGE ALONG SAID TRACK PAST A COATING STATION, ADJUSTABLE CAM MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT THE PATH OF SAID CARRIAGE AT SAID STATION, SAID CARRIAGE HAVING MEANS ACTUATED BY SAID CAM MEANS AS SAID CARRIGE IS ADVANCED PAST SAID STATION FOR LOWERING AND RAISING SAID ARTICLE TO AND FROM A COATING POSITION, SAID CAM MEANS INCLUDING ADJUSTMENT MEANS FOR ALTERING THE CONFIGURATION OF SAID CAM MEANS THEREBY VARYING THE HEIGHT TO WHICH SAID ARTICLE IS LOWERED AS IT IS ADVANCED PAST SAID STATION, AND A SECOND ADJUSTABLE CAM MEANS DISPOSED ADJACENT THE PATH OF SAID CARRIAGE AT SAID STATION. SAID CARRIAGE HAVING MEANS ACTUATED BY SAID SECOND CAM MEANS AS SAID CARRIAGE IS ADVANCED PAST SAID STATION FOR TILTING SAID ARTICLE IN A VERTICAL PLANE TO THE ANGULAR POSITION AT WHICH SAID ARTICLE IS COATED AND FOR RETURNING SAID ARTICLE TO ITS ORIGINAL ANGULAR POSITION AFTER SAID ARTICLE IS COATED, SAID SECOND CAM MEANS INCLUDING ADJUSTMENT MEANS THEREBY VARYCONFIGURATION OF SAID SECOND CAM MEANS THEREBY VARYING THE ANGULAR POSITION TO WHICH SAID ARTICLE IS TITLED FOR THE COATING OPERATION AS THE ARTICLE IS ADVANCED PAST SAID STATION. 